A crash that closed U.S. 30 for much of Thursday afternoon claimed the life of a former Valparaiso assistant police chief. Valparaiso Police say William "Buddy" Collins, 86, died in the two-vehicle crash at U.S. 30 and Porter County Road 325 East.
Police Chief Jeff Balon said in a statement that Collins was part of the department from 1969 to 2005. He added that his wife Nancy is recovering from injuries sustained in the crash.
Balon asks residents to keep the police department in their thoughts and prayers, as it mourns the loss of Assistant Chief Collins.